The 2022 Diageo Special & Rare collection is known as "Elusive Expressions", drawn from some of Scotland’s most interesting, legendary distilleries and curated by Master Blender Dr Craig Wilson, portrays the otherworldly beings which have fiercely protected the heartlands of remote Scottish distilleries for an eternity, according to our ancient fables and the mythical creatures come to life revealing their true characters. This year each bottle has its own unique QR code which, when scanned, takes you on a multi-sensory experience that tells you the story of the whisky, the mythical creature behind the artwork, and gives you some tasting notes to prompt your nose and palate along the way. The label artwork follows almost as a sequel to the 2021 range, revolving once again around the theme of mythical beasts and stories. Illustrator, Ken Taylor, returns again and is joined this year by digital visualisation artist, Kevin Tong. The Singleton of Glendullan 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml (Special Release 2022) was matured in refill American and European oak, then finished in ex-wine casks. The nose on this is soft, delicate, and complex. Given time and patience, it grows and expands into a kaleidoscope of aromas that are as diverse as they are many. Grassy, floral, fruity, malty, sweet, and even a touch of oak – it’s all here. And that’s just the nose! On the palate, the whisky has that classic highland Glen Ord austerity, with the wine cask influence introducing some drying tannins and fruitiness.

The 2022 Diageo Special & Rare collection is known as "Elusive Expressions", drawn from some of Scotland’s most interesting, legendary distilleries and curated by Master Blender Dr Craig Wilson, portrays the otherworldly beings which have fiercely protected the heartlands of remote Scottish distilleries for an eternity, according to our ancient fables and the mythical creatures come to life revealing their true characters. This year each bottle has its own unique QR code which, when scanned, takes you on a multi-sensory experience that tells you the story of the whisky, the mythical creature behind the artwork, and gives you some tasting notes to prompt your nose and palate along the way. The label artwork follows almost as a sequel to the 2021 range, revolving once again around the theme of mythical beasts and stories. Illustrator, Ken Taylor, returns again and is joined this year by digital visualisation artist, Kevin Tong. Cardhu 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml (Special Release 2022) was matured in re-fill and re-charred American oak, then finished in Jamaican pot still rum-seasoned casks. A richer, fuller nose that has the hallmark traits of rum-finished whisky, there are soft fruits and pastry notes on the nose. The palate is spicier, certainly drier, and has hints of ginger, stone fruits, and perhaps some mint or eucalyptus.

In 1898, John Duff built the Speyside Distillery, BenRiach. It is one of the few distilleries with its own on-site floor malting and draws its water from the Burnside Springs. This exquisite single malt has been crafted from a combination of unpeated and peated spirit and four cask matured for at least twenty one years in bourbon barrels, sherry casks, virgin oak casks and Bordeaux red wine casks. During long maturation, Benriach’s sweet Speyside smoke mellows and integrates with the fruit, malt and oak. After twenty one years, rich layering develops into an elegant honey smoke, enriched through multi-layered cask maturation. The whisky from each cask type, imbued with particular flavour characteristics, is then expertly married together to create a rich and elegant single malt, layered with lush orchard fruit and toasted pine wood with a honey smoke finish. All in perfect balance. This whisky has a honey gold colour. Aromas of berry fruit, orchard apple, wild honey and mountain oak spice. Candied grape, rich cocoa, smoked pine nut, across the palate finishing with caramelised pear and honey smoke.

Mitchell's Glengyle Ltd. are very proud to be continuing and adding to the great Campbelltown Distilling tradition and the choice of the name reflects that. Kilkerran is derived from the Gaelic 'Ceann Loch Cille Chiarain' which is the name of the original settlement where Saint Kieran had his relgious cell and Campbeltown now stands. Kilkerran is thought to be suitable name for a new Campbeltown Malt since it was unusual for the old Campbeltown distillers to be called after a Glen, a custom more usually associated with the Speyside region. This is a new release cask strength whisky from Glengyle distillery fully matured in ex-bourbon. Bottled at 55.8%. A floral element, reminiscent of elderflower and heather, introduces this dram. There are notes of vanilla and custard creams and a confectionary note to foam bananas. Notes of cocoa nibs and Iberico ham are introduced on the palate, paired with an earthy peat smoke influence. The development of a tropical note comes through in hints of pineapple and coconut. The peat smoke lingers in the finish along with a digestive biscuit note. Note - item does not come with external tube. In the distillery's words: “It is our intention to reduce the amount of packaging we use across our group of companies, from Springbank and Kilkerran to William Cadenhead Ltd, and that any we do use is produced and procured as sustainably as possible."

Mitchell's Glengyle Ltd. are very proud to be continuing and adding to the great Campbelltown Distilling tradition and the choice of the name reflects that. Kilkerran is derived from the Gaelic 'Ceann Loch Cille Chiarain' which is the name of the original settlement where Saint Kieran had his relgious cell and Campbeltown now stands. Kilkerran is thought to be suitable name for a new Campbeltown Malt since it was unusual for the old Campbeltown distillers to be called after a Glen, a custom more usually associated with the Speyside region. The seventh batch of Kilkerran's Heavily Peated was released in 2023. It has been matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks. This Heavily Peated Batch 8 single malt opens up to a nose that is slightly mineral, with peat smoke apparent from the outset and a malty cereal note. The palate is full of orchard fruits, apple blossoms and poached pear notes emerge, and the peat smoke becomes more prominent on the palate in notes of campfire embers. A long, sweet finish concludes this heavily peated dram. Note - item does not come with external tube. In the distillery's words: “It is our intention to reduce the amount of packaging we use across our group of companies, from Springbank and Kilkerran to William Cadenhead Ltd, and that any we do use is produced and procured as sustainably as possible."

A delicious teriyaki/molasses element carries through the nose and palate, providing a framework for gentle smokiness, salinity, roasted coffee and almost resinous sweetness. Fruitiness is present but subtle: marmalade and stewed figs meet burnt butter. Dilution with water separates the oils and brings a dense, mouth-filling almond-paste character balanced with savoury char. A unique and delicious Ardmore: only 235 bottles were filled.